The biggest game of the season (so far) is upon us.
No. 2 Georgia visits No. 4 Alabama in the first top-five matchup of the season on Saturday night. It’s the last of four ranked matchups during a loaded Week 5 slate.
Here are the biggest games of the day. Follow along as we break down all the action below.
The Cardinals got a statement win over the Irish a season ago at home. And it’s fair to wonder if Louisville is better this season than it was in 2023. Former Oregon and Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough has been very good so far this season, completing over 68% of his passes for eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Notre Dame is still looking to rely on Riley Leonard through the air to complement what’s been a dominant run game through four games despite injuries along the offensive line.
The Illini knocked off previously undefeated Nebraska in overtime in Week 4 and it’s just the third time since 1951 that Illinois has won its first four games. A big reason for that is the improved play of former Ole Miss QB Luke Altmyer. Can he keep that up against Penn State on the road? Opposing QBs are averaging just 144 yards per game against the Nittany Lions.
This matchup of perennial playoff teams features two Heisman contenders at quarterback. No QB is responsible for more TDs per game than Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Carson Beck spent much of the offseason as the favorite for the award. Beck’s 2024 season hasn’t lived up to the Heisman hype yet, but it won’t be a surprise in the slightest if Beck has a big game.
Washington State is on the precipice of the AP Top 25 after a 4-0 start that includes wins over Texas Tech and Washington and QB John Mateer is slinging it. But the Cougars defense is allowing almost five yards a carry — that’s an appetizing statistic for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, who leads the country with an average of 10.5 yards a carry. There’s a reason he’s the non-QB with the best Heisman odds (+2000) at BetMGM.
Live38 updates
Ole Miss ties it up
The Rebels have knotted things at 10-10 with their opening possession of the second half.
The Wildcats’ game plan has been clear so far: run, run, run some more. Will a possession game be enough to topple Ole Miss in Oxford, or will they have to take to the air to stay in it?
Touchdown Kansas State!
After a quick three-and-out by OK State, Kansas State takes over and DJ Giddens sprints through the OSU defense for a 66-yard touchdown.
That’s 153 rushing yards for Giddens just two minutes into the second quarter and the Wildcats are up 28-13.
We are back for the second half of Ole Miss-Kentucky and OK State-Kansas State. The Rebels and Cowboys will start with the ball in their respective games.
Scoreboard update
Here’s where things stand as the first wave of games hits halftime:
Scoreboard update
Halftime: Kansas State 21, Oklahoma State 13
Both teams have been able to move the ball pretty well in the opening half. The Cowboys seemed committed to getting Ollie Gordon going early but then reverted to a pass-first offense once they started trailing.
Halftime: Kentucky 10, Ole Miss 7
The Wildcats controlled the clock in the first two quarters (almost 22 minutes time of possession) and the result is a lead at the break.
Touchdown Kentucky!
The Wildcats have taken the lead as time ticks away on the first half in Oxford. That was a methodical 13-play, 81-yard drive by Kentucky capped off by a pass from Brock Vandagriff to Dane Key. It took 5:30 off the clock.
Kentucky is up 10-7 with 27 seconds left in the first half.
Touchdown K-State!
The Wildcats get another one, this time Jayce Brown catching a deep pass from Avery Johnson for a 55-yard touchdown.
Kansas State is now up 21-13 with just over 3 minutes left in the half.
K-State recovers fumble!
OSU QB Alan Bowman isn’t able to corral a botched snap and Kansas State comes up with it.
There’s five minutes left in the first half in Manhattan.
Baylor cuts into deficit
The Bears have woken up a little bit in Waco after BYU’s hot start, but they still trail by two touchdowns as the first half winds down.
Touchdown K-State!
The Wildcats respond right back with a TD of their own, capped off by a pass from Will Johnson to Garrett Oakley for 19 yards.
That was a 2-play, 71-yard drive and it puts Kansas State back on top, 14-13.
Ole Miss, UK in close one early
As time ticks down on the first half in Oxford, Ole Miss is in a dog fight with Kentucky.
The Wildcats trail 7-3 but have the ball at midfield with just over 2 minutes left until the break.
Michigan doubles lead on Minnesota
Kalel Mullings is getting comfortable in Ann Arbor. This is his second rushing touchdown of the game and the Wolverines are up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
OSU adds field goal
The Wildcats didn’t get the Cowboys any ground after the interception, but OSU kicker Logan Ward is good from 31 yards this time.
OSU up 13-7.
OK State interception!
On the very next play, KSU’s Avery Johnson misses the mark on a throw and OSU’s Korie Black makes the easy interception.
The Cowboys have a chance to get another quick touchdown on a short field.
Flea-flicker TD for Oklahoma State!
With all the attention focused on Ollie Gordon, the RB flips the ball back to Alan Bowman, who finds De’Zhaun Stribling for a 77-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys the lead.
Ole Miss up 7-3 on Kentucky
Meanwhile, the highest-ranked team in action at the moment is off to a bit of a slow start.
The No. 6 Rebels are up 7-3 but the Wildcats have made some stops and are moving the ball on the ground.
OSU misses short FG
Oklahoma State put together another solid drive into the red zone, but this time the Cowboys come away with nothing after OSU’s Logan Ward sails the kick wide.
It’s still 7-3 Kansas State.
Baylor gets on the board
After falling into a 21-0 hole early against BYU, the Bears scored on a designed run by QB Sawyer Robertson at the end of the first quarter.
